Giro d'Italia

First summit finish of the Corsa Rosa took place in Abruzzo, in Tagliacozzo, and ended up changing the overall standings despite the gaps between the general classification riders not being big. But long before the pink jersey contenders crossed swords, the day belonged to a seven-man breakaway where our team was represented by Gianmarco Garofoli.

The 22-year-old, a native of the Marche region – where the peloton will arrive on Saturday –rode a great race in the breakaway, despite the bunch deciding to keep them on a leash and allow a maximum gap of just 3:30. One of the most combative riders in the group, Soudal Quick-Step’s Italian still had enough left in the legs at the start of the final climb to accelerate and make a selection, which left only four riders at the front.

Garofoli continued to dig deep even though he knew that the peloton was closing in with each meter, and remained up the road until five kilometers to go, when he was reeled in after an impressive 150 kilometers spent in the breakaway by a group from where Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) emerged victorious in the last 500 meters.

“I sensed there was a good opportunity to join the breakaway and went at the right moment. We believed in our chances, but the peloton controlled our gap the entire time, which made it clear it would be difficult for us to make it. Despite all this, I gave my best there and I’m content with my effort. It was a good day in the break and I am keen on trying again on Saturday, when we will be on the roads that I know so well”, said Gianmarco after the seventh stage.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images